Join us as we present soprano Andrea Berg and Calgary Opera’s Emerging Artist, mezzo soprano Courtney V. Murias as they perform familiar duets such as  the famous “Flower Duet” from Delibe’s Lakmé, and the “Barcarolle” from Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffmann, along with classic arias from Massenet’s Manon and Strauss’ Die Fledermaus.

As a young professional singer, Courtney V. Murias reaches out to others through her artistry and fearless nature. She recently completed training with Calgary Opera in the Emerging Artists program, where she performed the roles of Hansel (Hansel and Gretel), Bianca (The Rape of Lucretia), and Kate Pinkerton (Madame Butterfly). During her vocal training at University of Lethbridge (BMus) and Western University (MMus) she performed the roles of Cherubino (The Marriage of Figaro), Dido (Dido and Aeneas), and Ottone (The Coronation of Poppea) before moving to Toronto to sing with the chorus of the Canadian Opera Company. Courtney returns to Calgary Opera this August to perform Hansel in their ‘Opera in the Village’ summer festival.

Andrea Berg is a local Calgarian who is proud to be a member of the rich musical culture in this fair city. Even though she has done her degrees in Lethbridge and Winnipeg, she returned to be a member of Calgary’s own Cowtown Opera. You may see her around town popping up in flashmobs in malls, at the Stampede or on the street. Ms. Berg completed her B.Mus at the University of Lethbridge and her M.Mus in Performance degree at the University of Manitoba. She has studied with Canadian sopranos Tracy Dahl, and Monica Huisman as well as baritone Mel Braun. In Lethbridge she was privileged to perform a number of diverse and exciting roles such as Susanna in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, The Baker’s Wife in Sondheim’s Into the Woods, and Pitti-Sing in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado.

A well known local pianist in his own right, Ian Robertson will be accompanist for both Andrea and Courtney.

Ian Robertson is a pianist residing in Calgary and originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia.  He completed a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Masters of Music in Performance at the University of Western Ontario, with a specialization in historical keyboard studies.  As a solo and collaborative pianist and voice coach, he has performed across Canada, the United States, Holland, Belgium, and in Dubai.  He has music directed and performed for Original Kids Theatre Company, Musical Theatre Productions, and Diva Lounge Productions in London, Ontario, and in Calgary, he has been rehearsal pianist and music director for Front Row Centre Players, Cowtown Opera Company, Cappuccino Musical Theatre, and Morpheus Theatre.  He is co-founder of a new theatre arts company called Hurricane Lamp Creations.

This concert is the first in a series of five Classical Voices Concerts during 2014 generously sponsored by the Harry & Martha Cohen Foundation!